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A Parent’s Guide to Child Safety on the Internet

Being online with a computer opens up a world of educational resources for your child. Homework help, connecting with places around the world, and learning to have fun together with online friends can increase reading skills, communications and improve your child’s technical skills.

Parents should be aware of the risks of their child using the Internet. Unsolicited mail, often about unacceptable subjects, products, or schemes may be sent to your child. Some sites promote inappropriate ideas. In addition, much of the information online is inaccurate, misleading or untrue. Personal information requested may be used in unauthorized ways.

There are several steps that you can take as a parent to help keep your child safe. Parental control software can help you restrict access to only materials approved as kid-safe and allow you to block additional materials you feel are inappropriate for your child. Some help enforce time limits. The best protection is to purchase blocking software or use the controls that your ISP provides, and update frequently. Remember, no parental control program is 100% reliable!

It is recommended that you keep your computer in a family area to better monitor your child’s activity. Regularly spend time online together to learn about your child’s interests and activities. Make sure your child understands what you consider appropriate. Explain the dangers and set clear, reasonable rules for your child’s online activities.

Guidelines for Parents

  • Learn all you can about the Internet - then find and mark sites for your child to visit— library references, fun activity sites, games, joke pages, etc.
  • Set up your child’s screen name (online identity) to assure it does not reveal information about your child’s real name or age.
  • Periodically check your child's email messages.
  • Spend time online together until you are assured that your child understands the potential dangers and how to handle difficult situations.
  • Teach your child not to open unidentifiable emails, download files, or go to the websites at the suggestion of a stranger.
  • Accompany your child in chat rooms until he or she learns your safety rules. Explain to your child that people aren’t always who they say they are. Limit your child to specific rooms or consider blocking certain chat rooms.
  • Teach your child to find multiple online sources to use for homework and use the local library to compare the information for accuracy.
  • Learn how to check the internet history and cookie files on your computer.  For assistance on checking the internet history and cookie file, please e-mail us!

Here are three search engines that are designed for younger children and focus on safe learning:

Also please see the following website:

FBI Publications - A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

Copyright © 2003 Norwalk Police Department
Last modified: 03/03/09